About the competition

In 2013 European Year of Citizens, CEV launched the European Volunteering Capital competition to promote and develop volunteering at the local level.


Former European Commission Vice President Viviane Reding welcomed the initiative given that it clearly showed the strong link between European Years 2011 and 2013, and demonstrated CEV’s continued support for cross-border volunteering in Europe.

Other Institution representatives supported the initiative: Marian Harkin, Former MEP and European Volunteering Ambassador 2022 (Sligo 2017); HRH The Crown Princess Mary Elizabeth (Aarhus 2018); Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic (Padova 2020); David Sassoli, Former President of the European Parliament (Padova 2020); Sawsan Chebli, Permanent Secretary for Active Citizenship and International Relations (Berlin 2021); Piotr Adamowicz, Polish MP (Gdansk 2022).

But what is this initiative all about?

What is the EV Capital?

The #EVCapital is an Europe-wide open competition that aims to promote volunteering at the local level by giving recognition to municipalities that support and strengthen partnerships with volunteer centres and volunteer-involving organisations and celebrate and promote volunteering and the impact made by volunteers.

Set up to:

# Recognise and reward municipalities that support volunteers and volunteering in their communities.
# Serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for all municipalities across Europe to make even greater efforts to promote and celebrate volunteering

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Who can participate?

All European Municipalities can participate. The awarded municipality is chosen from the candidates by an international jury of key personalities connected with volunteering, representing civil society, the private, for-profit sector, as well as the EU institutions.

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Why should you apply?
If your municipality would like recognition for their volunteering initiatives, to strengthen the local framework for volunteer, and inspire a culture of volunteerism in your community, then apply to become the next #EVCapital! 

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How will the winner be selected?

The award is chosen from the applicant municipalities by an international jury of experts who assess the extent on their strategies, policies, and programmes in connection to the Blueprint for European Volunteering 2030 and to the CEV Volunteering Policy Statements. Evidence about their engagement with, and support for, the European Solidarity Corps when the applicant comes from an EU member state is also required. Applicants are also asked to indicate if they are signatories of the Integrating Cities Charter. Read more...

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When will the results be communicated?

The winning municipality is announced each  December  around the International Volunteer Day, at the closing ceremony of the incumbent EVCapital. The title will be used in order to raise awareness about volunteering and volunteer-related activities at local, national, regional and EU level.

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For more information, please contact:

Gabriella Civico, CEV Director ( gabriella.civico[at]cev.be )